“That’s not how you use it,” my daughter informed me.
I caught her eye roll.
“What do you mean? I know how to use them. Dad understands me. We send emoji back and forth all the time,” I argued back.
I guess there is some unwritten – or maybe written in text somewhere – code for emoji use.
I haven’t read it.
I simply pick a symbol, press the cute little picture, then send.
And then I smile.
It’s that easy.
But my daughter’s approach to emojis is different.
Sometimes it’s like that in our spiritual walk.
Others simply don’t understand our decisions when following God.
They may question why we’re doing “A” when “B” seems more logical.
They may disagree with our plans altogether.
Or, our decision to follow God may upset their applecart of plans for life.
As we’re growing spiritually, there will likely be questions and uncertain times. We’ll teeter on the verge of pleasing man while knowing God’s plan is different. It’ll be the spiritual version of the emoji all over.
May I encourage us both? God doesn’t always make sense. His ways are not man’s ways. That’s good because His are far beyond what we can imagine.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. IS 55:8 NLT
If we keep in front of us “Who” has the plans, and continue to keep our eyes set on the Lord Almighty, our steps will be solid.
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jer. 29:11 NLT
After all, a future and hope await.
So whether we use 1 emoji or 3, whether our emoji usage makes sense to others or not, let’s go ahead and press those cute little pandas and send away. Likewise, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus and walk accordingly. Those steps may not fit our friends’ or family’s plans for us, but they do fit the One who know the plans.
Be encouraged as you trust in Jesus.
Oh Kristi, you are so right. Our spiritual walks will all look different. Why do we have to look around anyway? “If we keep in front of us “Who” has the plans, and continue to keep our eyes set on the Lord Almighty, our steps will be solid.” Love it.
Bless~
Great question, Christy. Why DO we look around? Such a battle.
Thanks for this, friend. It can be so difficult to keep walking forward when others have different ideas. There’s always a different way of looking at things. And yes, we need to keep our eyes looking to the Lord. (And my teens are always “correcting” me too. We don’t know how to do anything right, and they’re much smarter than we are! Right?)
Oh yes. Teens have one up on us – so they think. Love that you visited, Betsy. Blessings.
I just love how you pulled deeper meaning from a silly symbol! How boring would it be if we all used the same emoji, anyway!! LOL. Blessings, friend!
Right?! Blessings, Liz.
He does approach us all with such uniqueness, right?! That’s what makes the intimate relationship with our father so precious – He knows exactly how to approach us so that we listen. Now…if we could just get him to use emoji – or neon signs – even voice mail!! 😉 Love you, friend.
lol Love you too, Tiffany.
Kristi, your words echo my Bible reading this morning — Romans 12 — “Do not conform to the patterns of this world …” Thank you, friend, for reminding me to stand firm in His leading.
I love it when God echoes, Crystal. Stand firm, my friend.
Kristi, I heard a pastor I respect say that sometimes God’s plans for us are between you and Him. Others from a distance may not understand but God asks us to trust Him. As long as we communicate with our Savior we have nothing to fear in spite of the noise going on around us. Thank you for sharing such a cute story with a profound meaning. Our communication with God is unique to each of us. He shows His love in so many ways. Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful week and God bless!
Amen, Horace. Amen.
Oh my. I may have been using emojis all wrong too. ha. My youngest daughter usually lets me know these things. She hasn’t said anything so maybe I’m clear. 🙂 I’m glad that God always gets our meanings even if the way we send it might be unclear. Thanks for sharing this, Kristi!
I’m smiling over here about your emojis. Glad to know I’m not alone, Lisa. 😉
So cute! And so true! I love your point about the “Who” we should be looking to. That phrase will be sticking with me : ) Thanks! Blessings as you text, emoji, and follow our Lord!
The “Who” has garnered much attention in this post. Thanks for stopping by, Bethany.
Kristi, this post was a much-needed reality check for me. Some decisions we’ve made recently, I’ve questioned if I was relying too heavily on pleasing man instead of God. Timely post, friend. Thank you for allowing God to use you to reinforce an important truth in my heart<3.
Obeying His lead when you’re walking by mustard seed faith is stretching enough all on its own. When your leaning trust looks silly to some, but you choose faith over sight, I just imagine, Jesus smiling joy. For without faith it is impossible to please Him. On the other hand, what a privilege, that we can bring joy to the heart of God through our faith. That amazes me. What a tender God to call our own. Thanks Kristi for these words here reminding me to follow close. Blessings sweet sistah.